Barbers aiming to prove they’re a cut above the rest

Two barbers from the same shop are heading over to England to showcase their skills in separate events.

They are John Mulholland and Roger Mulholland (no relation), of Mulholland Barbering on the Dungannon Road.

John is one of just seven finalists to make it through to the final of the Great British Barber Bash in Liverpool.

He was chosen after submitting a photograph of one of his cuts, which he describes as “quirky and different”.

John, who formerly worked for Francis Kelly before setting up his own business, will be asked to recreate the 1950s rock-type style this weekend in a live competition in front of three judges.

It will be judged on cut, style and overall look.

The winners will be announced on Sunday evening and there are prizes for the top three with hundreds of pounds worth of products and tools to be won, not to mention the kudos of taking part.

Meanwhile, his partner Roger, who also worked for Francis Kelly, will be demonstrating his barbering skills on a stand at Salon International in the ExCel Centre, London, next weekend.

Roger was also selected after submitting a photograph of one of his cuts. He said. “There were 44,000 visitors at it last year. It will be a good opportunity to network and get our name out there.”

Said John, a bass player with Portadown ban Microlip, “Barbering in Northern Ireland is really starting to take off. It is very precise, compared to hairdressing. The main trend at the moment is for skin fade, where the hair goes from as short as possible to as long as possible with a seamless blend.”

The men will be joined on their trips by newest member of staff, barber Cem (pronounced Gem) from Turkey, and model David McClatchey.